Tried and Tested: Protein Bars

The good, the bad and the down-right disappointing

Some protein bars provide nutrition on the go. Some of them are more like glorified candy. Before you start adding them to your Holland and Barrett basket, study the back of their wrappers. Here's what you should be looking for...

Carbohydrates and Protein

Don't go much over 30 grams of carbs per bar, unless you plan to eat it immediately after a workout, when the main objective is to have a high carbohydrate intake.

Try and get as close to 20 grams of protein as possible. Muscle protein synthesis (production) increases with doses up to 20 grams, but teeters off thereafter.

Look at your protein to carbohydrate ratio. Ideally it will be a 2:1 or a 1:1 ratio of protein to carbohydrates. However, if you're trying to build muscle after a workout it should be 1:2 ratio of protein to carbs.

Fat

Believe it or not, you want your bar to have some fat in it.

Aim to keep saturated fat as low as possible. A healthy amount of dietary fat (anything less than 10grams in a bar) is good for your body, unless your consuming it straight after exercise, which is when you want close to no fat at all.

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Bounce Energy Ball Peanut Protein Blast, 49g

Kcal: 210

Fat: 8g

Carbohydrate: 19g

Protein: 14g

Verdict: During a period of time in my life I practiaclly lived off these (yes, an expensive time of my life). Then I checked the calorie and sugar content and backed away. For something almost half the size of other protein bars, that's a lot! Luckily, it still tastes pretty delicious, so I'll just have them as a treat from now on.

Others
/ Unknown

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Grenade Reload Chocolate Browning Bar, 70g

Kcal: 279

Fat: 9.9

Carbohydrate: 32.4g

Protein: 15.5g

Verdict: It literally crumbles apart when you bite into it, so if you're not a fan of crumbs, don't even go there. I found it to be quite tasteless. It's not offensive, but it isn't delicious either.

Verdict: During a period of time in my life I practiaclly lived off these (yes, an expensive time of my life). Then I checked the calorie and sugar content and backed away. For something almost half the size of other protein bars, that's a lot! Luckily, it still tastes pretty delicious, so I'll just have them as a treat from now on.

OthersUnknown

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Grenade Reload Chocolate Browning Bar, 70g

Kcal: 279

Fat: 9.9

Carbohydrate: 32.4g

Protein: 15.5g

Verdict: It literally crumbles apart when you bite into it, so if you're not a fan of crumbs, don't even go there. I found it to be quite tasteless. It's not offensive, but it isn't delicious either.

OthersUnknown

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PHD Protein FlapJack, 75g

Kcal: 270

Fat: 6.6g

Carbohydrate: 37g

Protein: 19g

Verdict: This. Is. Delicious. It's pretty much like eating a spoonful of peanut butter and the level of protein is spot on.

OthersUnknown

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Clif Bar Crunchy Peanut Butter, 68g

Kcal: 250

Fat: 6g

Carbohydrate: 41g

Protein: 11g

Verdict: Won't be trying this one again. Yes, it was tasty, like most peanut butter bars are, but anything that is that high in carbohydrates AND sugar should be!

OthersUnknown

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Trek Cocoa Chaos Wholefoods Energy Bar, 55g

Kcal: 186

Fat: 3.5g

Carbohydrate: 27.3g

Protein: 10g

Verdict: There's the slightest hint of chocolate to it, so don't expect something similar to a Devil's cake melting in your mouth. It's not as high in calories as some protein bars, but in terms of carbohydrates and sugar, it's basically a dessert. Back away.

OthersUnknown

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Pulsin Maple and Whey Crisp Protein Snack, 50g

Kcal: 204

Fat: 8.6g

Carbohydrate: 17.8g

Protein: 15.2g

Verdict: After my first bite I thought I was suffering a case of cotton mouth, so I made our Deputy Editor, Lotte try it. "It sort of tastes like ash", was her conclusion.

OthersUnknown

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Pure Protein Chocloate Peanut Butter Bar, 50g

Kcal: 191

Fat: 7.7g

Carbohydrate: 14.5g

Protein: 19.9g

Verdict: "This was so chewy in between my teeth, I actually became quite concerned" is how our Culture Director, Lena put it. I agree. Waaaaay too chewy. Great amount of protein though, for a 50g bar.

OthersUnknown

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Maxi promax per 100g

Kcal: 347

Fat: 10.1g

Carbohydrate: 27.4g

Protein: 36g

Verdict: This wasn't even on my list until our resident protein lover, Miette, described it to me. "It's amazing and tastes like Celebrations." I can't argue with that. The protein content is one of the highest, the sugar content is one of the lowest and it does taste a lot naughtier than it should.

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